Early detection is integral to the fight against male cancers
Gauteng Health MEC, Dr Bandile Masuku, says early detection of male cancers goes a long way in improving one’s quality of life.
“Generally men are not doing annual health checks, to their own detriment. By the time illness is detected in their body, it’s too late. Cancer statistics reveal that 17 people die every minute from cancer across the world while 30-50% of all cancer cases are preventable. Among the most prevalent male cancers at play in South Africa are prostate and testicular cancer” Said MEC Masuku
“A lot of the prevention lies in our lifestyles. We must get to a point of fully grasping how prevention is the most cost-effective long-term strategy for the control of cancer. Communities must begin to make better decisions about what they eat, prioritise exercise and proactively lead healthier lifestyles, Gauteng health facilities offer screening services, and we encourage communities to visit facilities. Gauteng Health academic hospitals, Chris Hani Baragwanath, Steve Biko and Dr George Mukhari also offer advance screening, diagnoses, treatment and rehabilitation. Early detection saves lives” he says.
Such initiatives shine the spotlight on taboo topics among men. They allow parents to have conversations with their sons, wives with their husbands and partners with each other. When all is said and done, cancer is never one person’s battle. Everyone who is likely to be affected by having a loved one diagnosed, should champion such causes which start the dialogue. Among its messages, the campaign pushes for early detection, which is of vital importance while the lifestyle change is still infiltrating our communities.
The Hollard Daredevil Run will be turning 10 this month. Every year in March, a group of brave men gather together in purple Speedos to run through rush hour traffic for the awareness of prostate and testicular cancer as well as to encourage their peers and sons to test for signs of these cancers. It encourages conversation and a sharing of information. a
All proceeds made through the entries to this run go towards fighting these two cancers throughout South Africa, more especially the remote areas of our country. Men have a 98% chance of surviving these cancers when detected early, however, once left to spread, there’s only a 30% chance of survival.
All the proceeds from the Daredevil Run are donated to CANSA and the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) as the aim is not to generate profit but to give back to our society by ensuring that male cancer testing reaches men in the length and breadth of our country. The run kicks off at 3pm at Zoolake on March 13.
